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Opposition slams handling of Canning Council

John Castrilli says his decision to suspend the council should help restore public confidence in the city.

The State Opposition has slammed the Government's handling of problems at a Perth metropolitan city council.

The Local Government Minister John Castrilli has suspended the Canning Council, following a report identifying serious and long term failures in the way it operated.

The Minister believes the decision will help restore public confidence in the city, and says the council will remain suspended while a full inquiry is carried out.

Labor's local government spokesman John Hyde says the Government should have acted sooner.

"The Government needs to have any evidence it has regarding Canning put out to proper scrutiny, we can't be just sacking a council moments before a State election and hoping the problems will go away," he said.

Mr Castrilli said yesterday a panel would be appointed to assess the city's governance issues and recommend whether to dismiss or re-instate the council.

He said a commissioner would be appointed to run the city's affairs until the assessment is complete.

"Having carefully considered the report, I have formed the view it would be inappropriate for the council to continue to act as the governing body of the City of Canning," he said.

"It is a serious measure to take.

"I'm concerned about the ratepayers, they deserve good governance and I believe that this action will be a step towards achieving this."